09/03/2004

Home of DPP member targeted

The home of a Co Tyrone District Policing Partnership (DPP) member has been targeted for the second time in six months on Monday.

Strabane DPP member Tom McBride had just returned to his home near Plumbridge on Monday when he carefully opened a padded envelope, which he considered to be susupicious, to find an incendiary device inside.

The device failed to explode and was later made safe by army bomb experts.

Last September the SDLP councillor was also targeted when a hoax device was left on the doorstep of his home.

Condemning the attack Security Minister Jane Kennedy said: "I utterly condemn the attack on the home and family of Tom McBride. It comes just 24 hours after the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Policing Board paid public tribute to the work of DPPs when considering the Board's annual Policing Plan.

"The commitment of these people who follow their strong sense of civic duty will also be internationally recognised by President Bush when he meets with DPP members in Washington next week.

"I salute the courage of DPP members across Northern Ireland for their contribution to making a better society for us all."

Denis Bradley, the Vice Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, described the attack "a cowardly and malicious".

“The difference between those who serve their community and those who seek to destroy is beyond comparison," he said.

“On 4 March DPPs passed the milestone that was their first anniversary. Strabane DPP has borne the brunt of threats, intimidation and acts of cowardice made against it during that time yet the work of the DPP, to ensure that the people of Strabane continue to shape local policing, has continued regardless which the Policing Board commends.”

Sinn Fein MP for West Tyrone, Pat Doherty also hit out at the attack saying it was an "absolute outrage".

"The people involved in this have no mandate or strategy," he added.

(MB)

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